Chapter 4: Mutual Illumination of the Liver and Gallbladder
Xu Daoyan sat cross-legged, while the old beggar beside him imparted the methods of cultivation.
A stream of spiritual awareness conveyed itself into Xu Daoyan's mind
Of course it is true, nothing will happen, just continue your cultivation! The old beggar watched happily from the side, picking up about ten sweet potatoes and starting to roast them himself
The sky gradually brightened
Lifespan of one hundred twenty-eight years, eight classes of people
"It's not good, it's morning, I must hurry back, otherwise, if Xiaobai sees that I'm not returning, it will be frightened." Xu Daoyan was startled and immediately wanted to get up, but was pressed down by the old beggar with a slap, chuckling, "Don't worry, nothing will happen. You continue your cultivation; it's rare that the spring energy is at its peak at this time. Cultivating now is equivalent to ten times the effort at other times."
Having heard this, even if one could manage to connect later, they would still become weak and powerless, ultimately becoming useless! Xu Daoyan nodded repeatedly
In addition, Xu Daoyan looked ten zhang away and was surprisingly able to see a mosquito flying, quite clearly; he could even discern every structure on the mosquito's body
Ah, you really are quite difficult to deal with. Well, I will agree to your request, considering your filial piety!" The old beggar's expression improved significantly upon hearing Xu Daoyan's words. After pondering for a moment, he finally agreed, which relieved Xu Daoyan's mind.
Having listened, Xu Daoyan felt that the old beggar's choice of words was very vivid, and many things that were previously unclear suddenly became clear, filling his heart with immense excitement
The liver and gallbladder are interconnected; when your liver is strong, it can nourish the gallbladder, bringing numerous benefits that you will naturally come to understand. Now, I will impart to you the method of cultivating the liver. In the third month of spring, this is known as the time of emergence. Heaven and earth are in harmony, and all things flourish. Sleep early and rise early, walk broadly in the courtyard, let your hair down and relax your form, so that your will may arise. Give life but do not kill, bestow but do not take away, reward but do not punish; this is in accordance with the energy of spring and the way of nurturing life. The old beggar recited these words clearly, each syllable imbued with profound mystery, allowing Xu Daoyan to instantly grasp the essence contained within.
However, when he thought of Xu Daoyan giving him a severe beating and even threatening him, he felt that although Xu Daoyan was not very old, his heart had become malicious, believing that Xu Daoyan deserved his fate.
Indeed, that is because their livers are not strong enough. If they were strong enough, their tendons would also be resilient, capable of withstanding even swords and blades. There is an additional layer of membrane protecting them, to the extent that even muscles cannot be penetrated. As long as the liver is strong, even if the tendons in the hands and feet are severed, they can recover quickly.
"You took a sip of my divine wine, and the cultivation method you practice is extraordinarily powerful. It is quite normal for you to have extended your lifespan over these years. Alright, you can return now. Come back tonight when no one is around, and I will guide you in your cultivation techniques!" As soon as he finished speaking, the old beggar wrapped the roasted sweet potatoes in large leaves and handed them to him to take back.
He picked up a wooden plaque in his hand, called the Immortal Wood Mirror, which was a treasure given to him by an old beggar. This Immortal Wood Mirror could be used to subtly investigate the strength of an enemy. To a large extent, the length of a person's life is closely related to their strength
In the forest of the back mountain
Xu Daoyan had never been educated, yet he was able to comprehend the content that was read aloud by the old beggar, which was indeed a remarkable phenomenon
As the hour of Chen and the hour of Si passed, Xu Daoyan clearly felt the spring energy becoming thin. He immediately came to a halt; the two hours of cultivation had brought Xu Daoyan significant improvement
What the hell... what do you really want, this cup of wine, no amount of gold can buy it, gold is a mundane object, only useful to mortals, while immortals can casually touch a stone and turn it into gold, do you know how many ordinary people cannot obtain this cup of wine? Immortals also have their own desires, and countless people wish to become their disciples but lack the fortune to do so. Xu Daoyan is quite good, yet he rejects this and that, the old beggar grinned, startling Xu Daoyan.
Even Cai Qiang couldn't help but shiver upon hearing this; he had never seen his father so ferocious before. It seemed that this time Xu Daoyan was in for a great misfortune, and he felt that what he was doing was somewhat inappropriate
It is now the third month of spring, which is the perfect time for liver cultivation. The external appearance of the human body is greatly related to the five internal organs. The liver governs the eyes, the fascia, and stores blood. When liver blood is abundant, the fascia becomes strong, and vision is clear
Yes. Xu Daoyan nodded; he did not like to bully others
While they were conversing, Xu Daoyan was running wildly. Just as he was descending from the back mountain, he suddenly saw a man, tall and muscular, blocking his path. Xu Daoyan was not unfamiliar with this person; he was the enforcer from the village chief's family, quite formidable, named Cai Wu
Thank you, Master. Xu Daoyan immediately nodded excitedly and dashed out of the forest, running in the direction of home
In the forest, Xu Daoyan and the old beggar faced each other.
Originally, Cai Qiang had taken advantage of the weak and was beaten by someone, which was quite embarrassing. Village Chief Cai did not want to intervene any further and felt he could only endure this grievance. However, upon hearing Xu Daoyan insult him, he could no longer tolerate it. His eyes glinted with a sinister light as he coldly said
Xu Daoyan immediately knelt down, properly kneeling and bowing three times, saying: "I pay my respects to my master"
As his liver contracted and expanded, greedily absorbing the spring energy, the old beggar beside him widened his eyes in astonishment and whispered, "I didn't expect this young man's talent to be quite remarkable; he can actually draw the spring energy into his body at once, nourishing his liver and stripping away the other mixed energies!"
The village chief's home, surrounded by high walls and a large courtyard, is managed by twenty servants who take care of everything
Xu Daoyan sat cross-legged on the ground. According to the old beggar's words, he felt his liver functioning and pulsating. He immediately took a deep breath. In the third month of spring, the spring energy contained in heaven and earth flowed like a gentle stream, entering Xu Daoyan's liver through his body, creating an incredibly mysterious sensation that flowed within him
Those under one hundred years old are all considered to be of the ninth rank
If he wants to train his liver, this is the best time
Really? I certainly do not want to worry my mother. Xu Daoyan was puzzled, but just as the old beggar had said, he could feel the rich aura of spring, as if his liver was preventing it from returning home
"What is this technique?" Xu Daoyan's eyes immediately lit up, filled with excitement
"Haha, good disciple!" The old beggar stood in front of Xu Daoyan and said, "You give me a sweet potato, and I will give you a magical treasure that you will carry with you from now on."
After practicing all night, Xu Daoyan felt as if there was a layer of membrane outside his muscles, warm to the touch, like a soft armor protecting his muscles. Moreover, the tendons and flexibility in his body had significantly improved. For instance, he was previously unable to perform a split or touch his feet with his head, but now he could accomplish various difficult poses.
What is fascia? The tendons attached to the bones are called tendons, while the membranes surrounding the muscles are referred to as membranes. If the liver is strong, it greatly enhances the body's strength. When cultivated to a certain level, even magical artifacts find it difficult to inflict harm. The old beggar looked at Xu Daoyan and inquired, "Have you ever heard of someone having their hand tendons or foot tendons severed?"
Those who surpass one hundred years but remain below two hundred years are all considered to be of the eighth rank
Haha, let's talk about this when you come back in the evening. Hurry back, don't let your mother go hungry. That divine wine, I have put it in a small jade bottle. Just let your mother drink it, and don't say that I, the old man, don't keep my word. The old beggar chuckled happily.
Xu Daoyan was quite shocked; to him, it seemed like a tale from the Arabian Nights. The old beggar laughed and said, "Actually, there is nothing strange about this. While you cultivate your liver, you can also strengthen your courage. Have you heard of the saying 'the liver and gallbladder reflect each other'?"
Looking at Xu Daoyan's back, the old beggar stroked his messy beard, grinned, and sighed: "Calling me master twice, all for his mother, this temperament is quite similar to his father's."
In the village of Pomegranate
Today, Cai Qiang returned home with a face covered in blood, startling Village Chief Cai greatly. He called the best doctor in the village to examine Cai Qiang's injuries, and it turned out there was no serious harm; his face was just swollen like a pig's head, with no internal injuries.
"Unless you also let my mother have a taste, I will kneel down and become your disciple." Xu Daoyan stared at the old beggar, insisting that such a good thing must be shared with his mother.
What I impart to you is the method for strengthening the body and enhancing health, not a technique for killing. You must remember this!
Haha, he is a good seedling, though a bit timid. Nevertheless, he can be considered my apprentice. I plan to take him away; otherwise, staying in this village would truly be a waste.
In less than a day, Xu Daoyan underwent a tremendous transformation
The Way of Pure Virtue, harmonizing with Yin and Yang, adjusting to the four seasons, transcending the mundane world, accumulating essence and perfecting the spirit, roaming between heaven and earth, perceiving beyond the eight directions
Xu Daoyan gazed at the rising sun; in the morning, the essence of spring was even more pronounced. As the saying goes, the plans for the year are made in spring, and the plans for the day are made in the morning
The village chief's home has a considerable amount of valuable medicinal herbs. After applying the medicine, the bleeding stopped and the swelling reduced, and Cai Qiang's injury quickly healed
In the midst of the unknown, there is a predetermined fate. This child's aptitude can only be described as average, yet his heart is resolute. Only by holding onto something can one achieve success. I hope his future path can be longer, steadier, and more enduring!" The old beggar chuckled, paused for a moment, and then said, "How is your one doing?"
When Xu Daoyan opened his eyes, he found the old beggar grinning widely, revealing a mouthful of large yellow teeth: "Not bad, kid, you actually managed to cultivate for such a long time all at once?"
Xu Daoyan was somewhat surprised and looked at the old beggar, saying: "I have been cultivating from last night until now, and my lifespan has increased significantly"
At that moment, an old man with a hammer also appeared beside the old beggar and said with a smile: "This child has good potential, which is quite rare in such a remote and impoverished area. However, why did he choose to give birth to him in such a place?"
It is hereby declared that in this book, one foot is equal to twenty centimeters, and one zhang is equal to two meters
At this moment, he could actually see a mosquito flying twenty zhang away, his entire body's flexibility had become even stronger, and his pair of eyes sparkled brilliantly. Two hours of cultivation had proven to be even more effective than the training from the previous night
Under the questioning of Village Chief Cai, Cai Qiang finally recounted the events of today, embellishing the story by claiming that Xu Daoyan had accused Village Chief Cai of exploiting the villagers' resources, condemning him to a fate of extinction and a miserable death
Damn thing, a little bastard actually dares to insult me. I want to make him wish he were dead. They are orphans and widows; if we retaliate openly, people will say we are bullying them. Isn't Xu Daoyan fond of going out? Cai Wu has been carefully trained by me and is almost at the level of an eighth-rank person. I will have him break Xu Daoyan's dog leg, and then I will see how those orphans and widows survive